I Turned My Old Jeans Into a Purse…Then Remade It 30 Years Later
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I made this denim purse by hand when I was a teenager, using a worn-out pair of jeans. I carried it for years, and even after it eventually fell apart, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. Instead, I saved it until I had enough sewing experience to remake it properly.
In this video, I take apart my original handmade jeans purse and give it a second life using the sewing skills I've developed over the years. I preserve the original design—including the denim, waistband, and pocket—while adding a lining, zipper, and stronger construction.
For me, this project is about more than upcycling an old pair of jeans. It's about preserving something my younger self created and improving upon it without erasing the original idea. We often treat old things as disposable when they become imperfect, but so many items - like this purse - still have a lot of life left in them if we repair or remake them.
This is a DIY jeans purse, recycled denim project, and clothing rescue project all in one—and a reminder that old clothes and handmade creations can have a life far beyond their original purpose.
Hi, I’m Kristen!
I envision a world where you and I rediscover what it is to be human, through connection with ourselves, each other and the natural world around us.